This is the oddest of all SKS rifles I own as other SKS collectors as well. Though manufactured in Albania it was based on the Chinese pattern. Production took place between 1969 and 1979. There are some but very few that do not show any date. These Albanian SKS carbine are becoming very scarce yet you may find some on auctions on line and maybe if you are lucky at a gun show. This one was made in 1978. On these the bolt handle does not look any where near all the other SKS carbines. There are a lot of differences that parts are not inter-changable with other SKS carbines.

That looks like one sweet Albanian SKS. I notice you have a few other SKS rifles you are are sharing...Cool. Those Albanian SKS rifles are really a trip on there history of what I have read. I don't own any yet but, I am going to have to get some in the near future. This forum is alright when I have the time to check it out. Thanks for sharing the pics.

__________________ "The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke speech of 23 April 1770, "Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents," delivered to the House of Commons.

According to what I have read, the total Albanian SKS production was around 18,000. However, less than 6,000 survived and were imported into the US. So yes, the Albanians are indeed rare. Even the 1978, which is the most common one found, is by no means common.

curiously, there appear to be no less than 5 of these on gb at the moment.

__________________"If the American Left wanted to decrease interest in shooting, they should have the government make it mandatory like they do here in Switzerland. Nothing makes you not want to do something like when the government makes you do it."

curiously, there appear to be no less than 5 of these on gb at the moment.

If I was looking for a quick $800-$900 I'd probably put mine up too. It is widely agreed that there are less than 6K Albanians in circulation. Compare that to millions of Russians and Chinese, which are still collectable too!

I passed on an Albanian to buy my Tula. I wavered over which to buy and bought the Russian; what really annoys me today is that I had the money to buy both but couldn't bring myself to do so.

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People don't like to be meddled with. We tell them what to do, what to think, don't run, don't walk. We're in their homes and in their heads and we haven't the right. We're meddlesome.
--River Tam